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General discussion (archive)Gamersgate DRM free is bu***it(71 posts)(71 posts)
(71 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted July 13, 2010
To my mind, systems that restrict how you obtain the game are not DRM, while systems that artificially restrict how you may use the game or the installer once you have obtained it are DRM.
If the downloaded installer can be copied and reused to your heart's content, it is DRM-free. If there are artificial restrictions in place on where, how or when you may install or run the game, it probably is DRM-protected. Hence, GOG's games are DRM-free while your typical SecuROM protected GamersGate game is not.
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Yep, i agree thats how i would distinguish between DRM protected and DRM free.
Post edited July 13, 2010 by thornton_s
Posted July 13, 2010
WTF is the reason for this thread?
Posted July 13, 2010
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lowyhong: Do you guys think that GG already know about the workaround to bypass their authentication? I sure hope they don't ever fix that. Has it been like this since the start of their business?

I actually contacted them about being unable to create functional backups and when I figured it out I mentioned it in reply to them. So they definitely know about it.
But given that every form of DRM has a workaround you can hardly expect DRM-free not to have. The reality is that they can't make it any more pirate-proof without crossing the line into DRM territory.
Mostly DRM is about pleasing suits. DDs aim to please publishers. Publishers aim to please their shareholders. It's about appearing to have done enough to protect profits.
Posted July 13, 2010
I suspect that their using the current system is why they're allowed by publishers to just hand out more activations with no hassle.
Posted July 13, 2010
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Crassmaster: I suspect that their using the current system is why they're allowed by publishers to just hand out more activations with no hassle.

Well you're most likely right in that it is a compromise. Their words on the subject would suggest this. But the DRM-free games are a completely separate matter to those with activations. Not least of all because they most likely have an automatic system in place through dealing directly with the DRM companies, not the publishers.
Posted July 13, 2010
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Navagon: Mostly DRM is about pleasing suits. DDs aim to please publishers. Publishers aim to please their shareholders. It's about appearing to have done enough to protect profits.

That's what I suspect as well, which is one possible reason why companies like 2K have hopped on to Steam, Gamersgate and Impulse, but not GOG.
Posted July 14, 2010
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lowyhong: That's what I suspect as well, which is one possible reason why companies like 2K have hopped on to Steam, Gamersgate and Impulse, but not GOG.

Take Two are publicly traded and 2K has only been around since 2005. So that is quite likely.
Posted July 14, 2010
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Navagon: Mostly DRM is about pleasing suits. DDs aim to please publishers. Publishers aim to please their shareholders. It's about appearing to have done enough to protect profits.

I agree with what you are saying but I think there is one component that is very important; that is the customer.
If gamers stopped buying any game with DRM on it of any nature, you would see DRM go away in a matter of months. It is all about the bottom line and if enough gamers cared enough to not have DRM on their computer companies would respond if money is not being spent. Setting aside the pirates (you cannot stop them), gamers bear responsibility in this situation as well.
Posted July 14, 2010
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Faithful: I agree with what you are saying but I think there is one component that is very important; that is the customer.

In an ideal world. But that means the publisher has to take responsibility and place the blame for poor sales squarely where it lies.
EA was hit pretty hard by their introduction of install limits. The result of that wasn't them dropping DRM but instead changing tactics and targeting second hand sales and introducing UbiDRM in C&C4. They didn't improve at all. Merely changed the way in which they were hostile towards their customers.
I don't know what Ubisoft's PC sales are like now, but judging by the severe reduction in price on nearly all their latest titles, I'd say they aren't doing so well. But again, clearly they're not about to abandon their madness and if they did it would be with the abandonment of the PC.
Posted July 14, 2010
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Faithful: I agree with what you are saying but I think there is one component that is very important; that is the customer.
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Navagon: In an ideal world. But that means the publisher has to take responsibility and place the blame for poor sales squarely where it lies.
EA was hit pretty hard by their introduction of install limits. The result of that wasn't them dropping DRM but instead changing tactics and targeting second hand sales and introducing UbiDRM in C&C4. They didn't improve at all. Merely changed the way in which they were hostile towards their customers.
I don't know what Ubisoft's PC sales are like now, but judging by the severe reduction in price on nearly all their latest titles, I'd say they aren't doing so well. But again, clearly they're not about to abandon their madness and if they did it would be with the abandonment of the PC.

Again, people keep saying Activation Model Securom hurt EA. Where is the evidence to back this up?
Posted July 14, 2010
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Gundato: Again, people keep saying Activation Model Securom hurt EA. Where is the evidence to back this up?

EA's own statement that sales were poor that year and their subsequent ditching of that form of DRM in favour of just a disc check in most titles and UbiDRM in C&C4.
Posted July 14, 2010
low rated
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Gundato: Again, people keep saying Activation Model Securom hurt EA. Where is the evidence to back this up?
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Navagon: EA's own statement that sales were poor that year and their subsequent ditching of that form of DRM in favour of just a disc check in most titles and UbiDRM in C&C4.

Do you have a link to the actual statement? Did EA say that sales were poor because of Securom, or are we just assuming so because it makes us happier?
Hopefully this won't double-post
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Gundato: Again, people keep saying Activation Model Securom hurt EA. Where is the evidence to back this up?
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Navagon: EA's own statement that sales were poor that year and their subsequent ditching of that form of DRM in favour of just a disc check in most titles and UbiDRM in C&C4.

And also, it isn't like EA really went to a lesser form of DRM. If anything, it is stricter now, since you need to authenticate every time you play.
Oh, wait. That isn't DRM. It is only for the optional DLC, so it doesn't restrict the user at all after they have acquired the game :p
On that note, I guess GalCiv2 really WAS drm-free :p
Post edited July 14, 2010 by Gundato
Posted July 14, 2010
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Gundato: Did EA say that sales were poor because of Securom, or are we just assuming so because it makes us happier?

Well yeah, what happened was, EA got all the people who didn't buy their games on PC that year to fill out a questionnaire on the matter. And what do you know?! DRM was the number one reason given by almost 93%!
And no, I don't have the questionnaire because the dog ate it.
Posted July 14, 2010
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Gundato: Did EA say that sales were poor because of Securom, or are we just assuming so because it makes us happier?
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Navagon: Well yeah, what happened was, EA got all the people who didn't buy their games on PC that year to fill out a questionnaire on the matter. And what do you know?! DRM was the number one reason given by almost 93%!
And no, I don't have the questionnaire because the dog ate it.

Do you have a link to the results of this questionnaire? This is the first I am hearing of this and I am actually very interested.
Posted July 14, 2010
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Gundato: Do you have a link to the results of this questionnaire? This is the first I am hearing of this and I am actually very interested.

I was joking. The point is that EA's reaction to the dip in profits was to change their DRM and target second hand sales instead. If EA thinks that activation limits had something to do with it then that's evidence enough.
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General discussion (archive)Gamersgate DRM free is bu***it(71 posts)(71 posts)
(71 posts)